Robust Ruthenium Phosphide Catalyst for Hydrogenation of Sulfur-Containing Nitroarenes

Development of robust metal catalysts for the hydrogenation of sulfur-containing nitroarenes is challenging because the sulfur atom strongly poisons the active metal sites of the catalyst. We herein report that ruthenium phosphide nanoparticles (Ru2P/SiO2) act as a highly active and robust catalyst for the hydrogenation of sulfur-containing nitroarenes, with 34 times higher activity than that obtained with Ru nanoparticles. Various sulfur-containing nitroarenes were hydrogenated under 1 bar of H2 and the corresponding anilines, including some important pharmaceutical intermediates, were obtained in high yields. The study results revealed that the electronic and geometrical effects of P surrounding Ru species in Ru2P/SiO2 are crucial to boost the activity and durability against sulfur poisoning.